Treatise on Astrology by Albumazar - Liber Astrologiae Leatherbound Facsimile For Sale

Albumazar Treatise (Liber astrologiae)

Belgium — Ca. 1325–1375

“The illustrious creation of Albumazar, a renowned astronomer from the East, encapsulates the celestial mythologies of Egypt, Greece, Persia, and India within a splendidly decorated pictorial manuscript.”

Date: Ca. 1325–1375

Current Location: The Morgan Library & Museum

Language: Latin

Size / Format: 100 pages /A4 , 210 x 297cm , 8.3" x 11.7"

Script: Gothic cursive

Illustrations: full-page miniatures; numerous colored drawings

Alternative Titles:Tratado de Albumasar (Liber astrologiae)

Abū Maʻshar, -886
Astrological treatises
Bruges, Belgium
early 15th century, in or before 1403

Who was Albumazar?

Often Latinized as Albumasar or Albumazar, Abu Ma’shar (787-886) was a prominent Persian Muslim astrologer, celebrated as the foremost astronomer of the Abbasid court in Baghdad. While he didn’t personally introduce many new concepts to astrology, his true significance lay in his ability to interpret ancient astrological knowledge and transform it into practical manuals for training astrologers. These manuals became highly influential not only in the Muslim world but also in Christian Europe. Abu Ma’shar was so respected as an authority on the stars that he largely avoided religious persecution, except for two instances: one whipping for practicing astrology and another for predicting an event that later came true. He also engaged in a notable dispute with the leading Arab philosopher of his time, al-Kindi (ca. 796-873).

The Albumazar Treatise

The Albumazar Treatise stands out as one of the most captivating picture books of the Middle Ages. It narrates the intellectual journey of ancient myths migrating through Arab civilization into Western medieval illuminations. The text comprises fragments of writings by Abu Ma’shar, the greatest Arab astrologer of all time.

This treatise is particularly significant as it consolidates the astral mythology of the great civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Persia, and India into a single, lavishly illustrated book for the first time. Its stunning iconographic cycle includes not only unique depictions of planets and zodiac signs of Greek origin but also a series of intriguing images of constellations created by various oriental cultures to mark the positions of stars.

Astrology had a profound impact on nearly all fields of medieval knowledge. By the late Middle Ages, astrology was taught in Europe’s leading medical schools, which considered knowledge of celestial positions essential for medical prognosis.

Shipped with Free Express FEDEX delivery to worldwide.